ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Biology Open, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Jon Bell is first author on ‘ foxg1a is required for hair cell development and regeneration in the zebrafish lateral line’, published in BiO. Jon is a research assistant in the lab of Hillary McGraw at University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas, USA, investigating the regulatory mechanisms that direct cellular migration and differentiation during development.
Jon Bell
I loved the challenge of learning to identify problems and trying to figure out ‘the next experiment’
Describe your scientific journey and your current research focus
I was working in healthcare as a sleep technologist for several years before discovering that I had a passion for basic scientific research. I went back to school with a medical track in mind, and during my undergraduate education I participated in a lab course that offered the opportunity for hands on lab work in one of the institutions’ Drosophila labs. Following that experience I realized that I did not want to continue in healthcare. I loved the challenge of learning to identify problems and trying to figure out ‘the next experiment’. That experience allowed me to realize research and academia are what I am most happy to pursue in life.
Who or what inspired you to become a scientist?
I would have to say the work of Dr. Barbara McClintock was the first time I was really awestruck by biological research. Her discovery of transposons and how that discovery changed the perceptions of molecular biology and genetics at the time as well as shaping the future of research to come I think cannot be overstated. At the same time as I was doing my undergrad the first steps were being taken with CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and the completion of the human genome project occurred. I was amazed that the kind of paradigm changing work Dr. McClintock had conducted was still occurring, and I wanted to be a part of it.
How would you explain the main finding of your paper?
We found that a subset of sensory cells in zebrafish fail to regenerate properly due to a mutation in the gene foxg1a.
Confocal projections of an 8-day post fertilization posterior lateral line neuromast showing different cell populations and their overlap. Hair cells labeled with Tg(myosin6b:GFP)w186 (green), central and hair cells labeled with α-Isl1 antibody (red), and dorsoventral Tg(sost:nlsEos)w215-expressing support cells (blue).
Confocal projections of an 8-day post fertilization posterior lateral line neuromast showing different cell populations and their overlap. Hair cells labeled with Tg(myosin6b:GFP)w186 (green), central and hair cells labeled with α-Isl1 antibody (red), and dorsoventral Tg(sost:nlsEos)w215-expressing support cells (blue).
What are the potential implications of this finding for your field of research?
These findings demonstrate that the gene foxg1a may be a therapeutic target in sensory cells in humans to help prevent sensorineural hearing loss, or even allow humans to regenerate these sensory cells and reverse some hearing loss.
Which part of this research project was the most rewarding?
I would have to say there were two equally rewarding aspects to this work. The first, being the completion of a project as a graduate student. It was a very significant feeling to be able to add our story to the collective scientific knowledge. The second, I would have to say, has been the opportunity to travel and present this work to other scientists. Being able to discuss my work with peers and receive feedback has been amazing.
What do you enjoy most about being an early-career researcher?
Going to conferences to meet new people and hear about their work. It feels like I'm a kid in a candy store.
What piece of advice would you give to the next generation of researchers?
Be careful not to isolate yourself. We all do better when we talk and collaborate with others. I would also say not to beat yourself up for things. We all make mistakes, need time off, or sometimes miss an obvious solution. These are not things to dwell on or feel bad about.
What's next for you?
Getting married to my wonderful fiancé. After that, I am very excited to say I have been offered and accepted a position as a postdoc in the lab of Dr. Stefania Nicoli.
Jon Bell's contact details: University of Missouri Kansas City, School of Science and Engineering, Division of Biological and Biomedical Systems, Kansas City, MO, USA. E-mail: [email protected]
